This the title of a novel written by J.R.R Tolkien. I had started my morning routine normal as it could be, wake up, brush my teeth, wash my face, get dressed and grab some breakfast. I sat down afterwards and landed on the movie Unexpected Journey; I’ve seen the film plenty of times before but this morning I couldn’t help myself and selected the movie to watch aways.
Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit of shire that lives quite an ordinary life, lives in a hole, same routine and pasture to explore every day, in term of hobbits at least. He was greeted by an older gentleman as he was smoking his pipe Infront of his abode. His name being Gandalf, a stranger of sorts with little connection other than seeing his firework displays in town from years past. Yet, Gandalf is quick to “inform the others” of Bilbo’s agreeance to host his comrades. In just a quick moment of conversation bilbo is thrusted into an unfamiliar situation to him, outside of his routine. Some would call it an unexpected journey.
The rest of town just went on with their ordinary life and daily tasks.
An older Bilbo in the very beginning of the movie was seen writing down this tale and making sure all the details were right. Additionally, Bilbo was also quite excited to hear from his old friend Gandalf and seemed reminiscent of their journey to together.
If life is always the same there would be no tale to tell, no journeys to a faraway land, no new communities that are every quality but the ones you are and nothing to look back on. I want to tell a tale so wild, so unimaginable, so intrepid and dauntless. No, it not that I “want to”, I NEED to and I am the person who will have countless stories that people dream of.
The first step before writing the story is to live it. Say yes to that Gandalf who proposes an adventure. Maybe the thought of not knowing what will happen causes anxiety, fear and uncertainty. These are the emotions that spike adrenaline and thrill. It creates brand new memories, experiences that are tied to these emotions. Build the confidence to say yes despite of risk. Fear is a motivator for reaction or non-action; it triggers fight or flight. Of course, everything psychological and chemically are limiting the boundaries of daily life to be stuck in routine. It keeps YOU safe and comfortable. However, in the modern world it keeps YOU trapped in a never-ending cycle of non-action on potential adventures. Break the loop and never look back, be certain on one thing by choosing to live each day to the fullest. Seek discomfort and keep stepping in that direction.
The true first step is action to uncertainty.
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